CN100574690C

CN100574690C - Clutch mechanism

Info

Publication number: CN100574690C
Application number: CN200580014165A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·J·伯林顿; M·D·汤森
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2004-05-06
Filing date: 2005-05-05
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-05
Also published as: US20080022486A1; MY141177A; CN1950011A; AU2005239859B2; GB2414283A; WO2005107553A1; EP1746926A1; CN1950010A; US7731618B2; AU2005239858B2; AU2005239858A1; WO2005107558A1; CA2562861A1; US20080105510A1; CA2563577A1; JP2007534909A; MXPA06012376A; MY140038A; CN101785650A; EP1742557A1

Abstract

A kind of clutch mechanism (10) comprises a plurality of clutch components (18,19) with the position of engagement and disengaged position, and when the position of engagement, the moment that is produced by driver passes to output, and when disengaged position, moment does not pass to output.Thereby each clutch components can slide relative to one another and prevent the damage that caused by overload conditions.Clutch mechanism also comprises the actuator (27,28) that is associated with a clutch components.If each clutch components slides and slide relevant feature above predetermined value with clutch components, this feature for example is the temperature rising of each slidingsurface or the relative rotational of each clutch components, then interrupts the transmission of moment to output.This clutch mechanism is particularly suitable for being included in that to be used for for example be in the driving mechanism of agitator of surface treating appliance of vacuum cleaner.

Description

Clutch mechanism

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of clutch mechanism, for example the clutch mechanism that is used in combination with the agitator driver of vacuum cleaner.

Background technology

Vacuum cleaner typically comprises the prone dirty air intlet that is arranged in Floor nozzle of duster or the floor tool, relies on electric motor driven fan via dirty air intlet, and dirty air is sucked in dirt and the dust-separating appliance.Agitator is for example brushed in the mouth that rod can be arranged in dirty air intlet, thereby the carpet fiber that will pass through vacuum cleaner stirs.Agitator helps to be released in the dirt and the dust of carpet IT.Agitator relies on motor to drive via gear or belt transmission system usually.Motor can be dedicated agitator motor or turbine, perhaps can be the vacuum motor that power is provided to dust catcher.

It is desirable to make agitator can be brought into and take out of operator scheme.Under the situation that agitator is driven by definite-purpose motor, can open and close motor simply.If agitator is driven by vacuum motor, then can provide clutch mechanism.When clutches engaged, the moment that is produced by motor imposes on agitator.When throw-out-of clutch, moment does not impose on agitator.

Having the problem that the vacuum cleaner of agitator may run into is, agitator sometimes for example since with floor surface on the object tangle up or owing to pushed to the floor at full tilt and be stuck.The advantage of turbine drives is energy volitional check under overload situations, but forces the air watt loss at suction inlet place.Under the situation that agitator is driven by definite-purpose motor, it is simple relatively to detect such overload conditions.For example, can detect owing to load increases the electric current that causes and rise, and then electrically close motor.Yet, under the situation that agitator is driven by vacuum motor, detect rather difficulty of such overload conditions.

Therefore, for example proposed by driving belt being slided be provided for limiting the equipment of the moment that imposes on the agitator that blocks.Yet As time goes on belt can be damaged, thereby needs periodic replacement.This is a trouble to the user.

The another problem of conventional limiter of moment is their overload conditions that may make an immediate response.Such limiter does not allow moment overload, moment for example may occur to transship when agitator moment pushes in the carpet pile.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a kind of clutch mechanism, comprise clutch components with the position of engagement and disengaged position, when the position of engagement, the moment that is produced by driver passes to output, and when disengaged position, moment does not pass to output, clutch components has slidably property, clutch mechanism also comprises actuator, actuator is associated with clutch components, and be arranged to like this, thereby, then interrupt the transmission of moment to output if clutch components slides and slide relevant feature above predetermined value with clutch components.

Advantageously, feature is hot feature.Therefore, when the temperature of slidingsurface rises above predetermined value, perhaps when variations in temperature surpasses set rate, perhaps reach certain hour during the cycle when temperature rises to a certain value, actuator can make driver throw off.

As selection, feature is clutch components relative rotational with respect to another parts during sliding.Therefore, when relative velocity rises above predetermined value, perhaps when relative velocity changes above set rate, perhaps reach certain hour during the cycle when relative velocity rises to a certain value, actuator can be arranged to interrupt moment.

By the actuator that the temperature that provides a kind of utilization to be caused by the slip of each friction surface rises or the rotary speed of each slidingsurface starts, guaranteed moment transmission interruption when the agitator load surpasses predetermined value.And the present invention has reduced the possibility of the shutdown of trouble because temperature or speed rise be enough to start overload equipment before, cross the effect that is loaded on the agitator and must keep a time period (being typically several seconds).This feature also helps to prevent after agitator is opened, the startup that the generation of overload equipment is not expected.

Description of drawings

To the present invention be described with reference to the accompanying drawings by illustrative mode now, in the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is that combination has the schematic side view according to the Floor nozzle of duster of the vacuum cleaner of the clutch mechanism of first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is the side sectional view of the clutch mechanism of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the partial cross-sectional perspective view that combination has the motor of the alternative clutch mechanism that exists with the speed-reducing clutch form; And

Fig. 4 a and Fig. 4 b are the side sectional view of part under two kinds of operator schemes that is used for the speed reduction gearing of Fig. 3 clutch mechanism.

The specific embodiment

Identical Reference numeral all refers to identical parts in whole specification.

Fig. 1 is the Floor nozzle of duster 1 of diagram vacuum cleaner schematically, generally with Reference numeral 2 indication vacuum cleaners.Floor nozzle of duster 1 can be installed on the motor casing 3 rotatably around pivot, and motor casing 3 is positioned at the lower end of the main body 4 of holding dust arrester (not shown).Dust arrester can adopt the form of dust bag, cyclone separator or other filter.One wheel pairs 5 also is installed on the motor casing 3, and Floor nozzle of duster 1 begins the edge forwards to extension from wheel 5.

Floor nozzle of duster 1 has and is positioned at its front end and ventricumbent dirty air intlet 6, thus dirty in use air intlet 6 sit and put on needs clean Surface 7, surface 7 is floor or carpet normally.According to known manner the agitator 8 of brush bar form is installed rotatably by bearing (not shown), thereby brush rod 8 is basically across the whole width of dirty air intlet 6.Thereby brush rod 8 stretches out dirty air intlet 6 a little stirs the carpet fiber that needs cleaning, thereby helps the carrying out of cleaning.

Motor 9 is contained in the motor casing 3.Motor 9 can be used for directly or via transmission mechanism coming drive brush rod 8.In the embodiment depicted in fig. 1, provide clutch mechanism 10, between motor 9 and brush rod 8.

Driving belt

11,12 is arranged to and can respectively moment is sent to clutch mechanism 10 and is sent to brush rod 8 from clutch mechanism from motor 9.Motor 9 can be any motor that is applicable to domestic suction cleaner.Thereby it must be accepted driving belt 11 and carry a drive 13 so that accept driving belt 11.Driving belt 11 can directly be carried by motor reel 14 equally.The driven pulley 15 that constitutes the part of clutch mechanism 10 is also carrying driving belt 11.Clutch mechanism 10 also has the drive 16 that is carrying driving belt 12, and the belt pulley 17 on the brush rod 8 is also carrying driving belt 12.The relative diameter of

belt pulley

13,14,15,16 is designed to motor rotary speed (being generally 30-40k rpm) is decelerated to the rotary speed that is suitable for brushing rod 8.The rotary speed that is suitable for brushing rod 8 is typically 3.5-5k rpm.Brush rod 8 can be any known design, in its edge preferred disposition open bristle is arranged, thereby helps the edge-to-edge to clean.

In Fig. 2, illustrate embodiment in more detail according to the clutch mechanism of the present invention's structure.Clutch mechanism 10 comprises two clutch components 18,19 generally.First clutch parts 18 comprise driven pulley 15.The moment that is produced on driven pulley by motor passes to the first clutch parts continuously.First clutch parts 18 also comprise the friction plate 20 that is arranged to mesh second clutch parts 19 surfaces.

Second clutch parts 19 comprise clutch disc 21 and the axle 22 related with drive 16.In the present embodiment, clutch disc 21 comprises heat transfer part 21a and wear-resistant coating 21b.For example, heat transfer part 21a is typically latten(-tin), and coating 21b is one deck steel.Also be equipped with clutch engagement means 23, and be arranged to make second clutch parts and first clutch parts 18 laterally to mesh and throw off.Clutch engagement means 23 comprises helical spring 24,30 and hand grip part 25.The rotation of clutch engagement means 23 is converted into the transverse movement of second clutch parts 19 with respect to first clutch parts 18.

Fig. 2 represents to be in the clutch mechanism 10 of the position of engagement.Thereby compression spring 30 is pressed in second clutch parts 19 on the first clutch parts 18 just in action.Rely on spring 30 that axle 22 is pressed onto the left side, thereby the clutch disc 21 of clutch components 19 firmly is pressed on the friction plate 20 of clutch components 18.This thrust means that any rotation of friction plate 20 can both make clutch disc 21 rotations.

The driven position of Here it is clutch mechanism 10.When motor rotation driving belt 11, driven pulley 15 is driven and is rotated.This makes that comprising friction plate 20 all rotates at interior first clutch parts 18, because the thrust between friction plate 20 and the clutch disc 21, clutch components 19 also rotates.This has caused the rotation of axle 22, and then causes the rotation of drive 16.So, moment passes to brush rod 8 via belt 12.

When vacuum cleaner 2 is used for above-mentioned floor-cleaning, the handle of vacuum cleaner will enter stand up position.Relative motion between main body 4 and the Floor nozzle of duster 11 can be used for rotary clutch geared assembly 23, thereby makes that comprising axle 22 all laterally reaches several millimeters away from the first clutch parts at interior clutch components 19.Therefore, the thrust between friction plate 20 and the clutch disc 21 obtains discharging, and moment is not transmitted between them.

When disengaged position, motor still drives driven pulley 15 via driving belt 11.Although first clutch parts 18 are along with driven pulley 15 is rotated, friction plate 20 does not drive clutch disc 21.Therefore, clutch components 19 comprises axle 22 and drive 16, all keeps static.When this position, the moment that is passed to driven pulley 15 by driving belt 11 does not pass to drive 16.Therefore, brush rod 8 does not rotate.

The setting of hand grip part 25 is in order to allow the user of vacuum cleaner 2 at any time can both make clutch mechanism 10 enter disengaged position.In many cases, especially be used on the floor of not carpeting and do not need to brush excellent 8 the time when vacuum cleaner 2, this is equipped of great use.The setting of spring 24 is in order to help clutch mechanism to turn back to disengaged position fully.

Brush rod 8 takes place sometimes to be blocked in use, thus the situation that the required moment of roll brush rod is sharply increased.Have on the very villose carpet if vacuum cleaner is used in, then the required moment of roll brush rod also may significantly increase.When moment is increased to above predetermined extent, may exist the parts of vacuum cleaner, especially

driving belt

11,12 material risk that damages to occur.If it is too big that brush rod 8 blocks or rotate its required moment, then should not make drive 16 rotations.Thereby clutch is arranged such that to exist between friction plate under this overload situations 20 and clutch disc 21 forces rotation relatively.Thereby second clutch parts 19 slide with respect to first clutch parts 18.

According to the present invention, clutch mechanism 10 comprises thermal actuator 26.In the present embodiment, actuator 26 comprises shell made from good thermal conductor 27 and the pin 28 that stretches out from shell.Shell 27 comprises thermal expansion material, for example wax.Shell 27 is combined in the second clutch parts 19.The free end of pin 28 is arranged to the end plate 29 of contiguous driven pulley 15.

When clutch mechanism 10 overloads, friction plate 20 and clutch disc 21 slide relative to one another, thereby produce heat energy.Actuator 26 carries out thermo-contact with clutch disc 21, thereby thermal energy transfer is in actuator housings 27.Along with the temperature rising of shell 27, inner wax warms and expands, and therefore further extrudes pin 28.Shell 27 is owing to the power of elongation pin moves.This promotes clutch components 19 and overcomes the pressure of compression spring 30 and leave clutch components 18.Therefore, clutch components was opened in 18,19 minutes, made friction plate 20 and clutch disc 21 separately.Therefore, clutch mechanism 10 forwards disengaged condition to, and the moment that produces on the driven pulley 15 does not pass to drive 16.

Actuator 26 can be arranged to make throw-out-of clutch when temperature has risen above predetermined extent.As selection, actuator can be arranged to and suitably electronic circuit (not shown) combination, thereby when temperature rises with a very fast speed or when the temperature rising a bit continues a predetermined period of time above certain, comes into effect.The suitable selection of actuator and setting up all in those skilled in the art's limit of power.

Certainly, the present invention is applicable to and is arranged to produce in other drive system of motoring torque.For example, a kind of the needs relies on drive belt system to drive, and replace by the motor that is arranged to drive fan the agitator that directly drives.Example illustrates a kind of suitable motor arrangement among Fig. 3, wherein combines the alternative clutch mechanism that exists with the speed reduction gearing form.

Clutch mechanism is indicated with Reference numeral 31 generally, and is in a disengaged position in diagram.Associated motor is packed in the known shell that is called electric case 32, thereby all invisible except its output shaft 33 in this drawing.Gear train 34 directly is installed to the rear portion of electric case 32, is positioned on the axle 33.Gear train 34 is arranged to the high rotation speed of output shaft 33 is reduced to the speed that is more suitable for the rotating brush rod.In the present embodiment, reduction gear device 34 comprises planetary system, though also can use other speed reduction gearing.

Planetary gear system 34 comprises central gear 35, and in this arrangement, it is the input gear.Central gear 35 may be advanced into the end of motor reel 33, perhaps can be this a integral part.Illustrated central gear 35 has inserted in the motor reel 33 among Fig. 2.Central gear 35 and a plurality of

planetary gears

36,37,38 engagements, these planetary gears equidistantly be arranged in central gear 35 around.In this drawing, have only wherein two planetary gears to see, and for clear and be depicted as and do not have tooth.

Planetary gear

36,37,38 distributes load, and provides balance to gear train 34.

Planetary gear

36,37,38 rotatably is arranged in the ring gear 39.Gear train 34 also comprises the output that exists with pinion frame 40 forms.The overall plan of the operation of gear train 34 is described referring now to Fig. 4 a.

Fig. 4 a schematically illustrates the planetary gear system that is similar to Fig. 3.In this drawing, pinion frame is illustrated as the parts with three arms, so that the remainder of gear train can be seen.In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the form of pinion frame 40 is actually the disk with three flanges, and has short output shaft, and these three flange arrangement become each planetary each centre bore of engagement.The same with Fig. 3, for the sake of clarity, illustrated in this drawing gear train does not comprise gear teeth.

During operation, rely on central sun gear 35 that moment is inputed to gear train.

Planetary gear

36,37,38 engagement central sun gear 35, and attempt along the direction of rotation rotation opposite with central gear.Tooth on each

planetary gear

36,37,38 engagement ring generating gears 39 internal diameter.Therefore,

planetary gear

36,37,38 rotations, they roll along the inner surface of ring gear 39, thus these gears itself move along the direction of rotation identical with central gear.This motion makes pinion frame move along identical direction (representing with empty arrow) again.Therefore, the moment that imposes on central gear 35 passes to pinion frame 40, although rotary speed has reduced.

Return with reference to figure 3, one of clutch member of clutch mechanism 31 comprises the sheet 41 that is connected to electric case 32 rear portions.Another clutch member comprises ring gear 39.Form with cam part provides clutch engagement means, and segment map has shown wherein two cam parts 42,43 among Fig. 3.Cam part 42,43 is limited at respectively in the groove 44,45 and moves, and groove 44,45 tilts to extend around the shell 46 of gear train 34.Cam part 42,43 laterally moves cam part along the rotation of groove 44,45.Find out that from this figure turning clockwise of cam part 42,43 makes cam part move to electric case 32.Dish 47 is associated with cam part 42,43, so that the rotation of cam part is moved the axis of rim axle 33.Dish 47 is arranged to adjacent rings gear 39, thereby turning clockwise of cam part 42,43 makes dish bear against ring gear.Thereby ring gear 39 is extruded to such an extent that contact nearly with sheet 41.Spring 48 helps clutch is pushed the position of engagement.The effect of clutch antagonistic spring 48 and throwing off.In this manner, clutch components is meshed and throw off.

When clutch mechanism 31 was in the position of engagement, ring gear 39 kept static against sheet 41.The end of the axle 49 meshing planetary gear framves 40 that are associated with the second clutch member.When motor rotation axis 33, rely on

planetary gear

36,37,38 to pass torque to central gear 35 and pinion frame 40.Therefore, moment passes to axle 49, and this is used for the drive brush rod by rotatablely moving of the speed that reduces than motor output.

Brush is excellent goes up and makes the brush rod to block if excessive load is applied to, and comprises that the pinion frame 40 of the output of gear train 34 keeps static.In this case, produce by motor and make ring gear 39 rotations by the moment that central gear 35 inputs to gear train.In the time of ring gear 39 rotations, closely contact with the sheet 41 that is connected to electric case 32 rear portions.Therefore, the edge of ring gear 39 is resisted against the enterprising line slip of respective surfaces of sheet 41, thereby produces heat energy.Fig. 4 b represents the direction of rotation of each parts during overload conditions of gear train 34.

The actuator arrangement that exists with thermally-actuated switch 50 forms and is carried out thermo-contact with sheet in the space between electric case 32 and sheet 41.Therefore, along with sheet 41 heatings, the temperature on the actuator 50 rises.When the temperature on the actuator 50 surpassed predetermined value, switch was arranged to cut out fully motor.Therefore, owing to quitting work, motor make moment not pass to the brush rod.

As selection, actuator 50 can adopt the form of switch, and described switch is arranged to interrupt the moment transmission according to the rotary speed of ring gear 39.For example, when the rotary speed of ring gear 39 surpassed predetermined value, actuator can make motor cut out.As selection, can switch be disconnected the operating speed rate of change, perhaps use the predetermined rotary speed that continues predetermined period of time that switch is disconnected in addition.

One of them clutch components of usefulness of the present invention interrupts the moment transmission about another rotary speed as trigger this embodiment is particularly suitable for the clutch of Fig. 3 and arranges.This is that clutch components 18 is static about slip-clutch parts 19 because during sliding.Therefore, determine the absolute sliding speed of energy measurement.

Actuator 50 can be arranged to for example restart motor when actuator is cooled to be lower than predetermined temperature or when the slip rotary speed of clutch components 19 is lower than predetermined value.Yet, because security reason may arrange so preferably that promptly, the user is by closing dust catcher and then opening dust catcher and come resetting system in system's power supply place.

Above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention is by preventing that moment from imposing on the brush rod and reducing or even stop the vacuum cleaner parts and be damaged between overcharge period.The response slip-clutch component feature actuator that (for example stable or speed) rises is provided, reduces the risk of the false triggering that causes owing to load moment rising, the load moment rising that described load moment rising for example is appearance when the brush rod starts.

Can change and do not depart from the scope of the present invention.For example, the actuator 23 that produces the clutch physical disengagement among Fig. 2 can exchange with the actuator 50 that generation electric electromechanics qi exhaustion among Fig. 3 is opened.In these two embodiments, effect all is that overload brush rod is not attempted to pass torque to by system.

Suitable thermal actuator comprises that combination has those actuators of bimetallic devices and so-called memory metal.Suitable speed actuator comprises that combination has those actuators of optical pickocff and magnetic detector, Hall effect transducer for example, and these sensors are arranged to the mark on the detection ring generating gear.

With reference to invention has been described by the brush rod of rotatable driving in vacuum cleaner.Yet the present invention can be applied to agitator or other surface processing equipment of other form comparably, comprises those equipment that are arranged in the surface treating head internal vibration.The present invention also is suitable for other the equipment that has clutch mechanism.

Claims

1. clutch mechanism, comprise a plurality of clutch components with the position of engagement and disengaged position, when the position of engagement, the moment that is produced by driver passes to output, and when disengaged position, moment does not pass to output, each clutch components has slidably property, clutch mechanism also comprises actuator, actuator is associated with a clutch components, and be arranged to that if each clutch components slides and clutch components relatively another slip rotary speed surpass predetermined value, then interrupt the transmission of moment to output.

2. clutch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein realizes that by each clutch components being pushed disengaged position moment arrives the interruption of output.

3. clutch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein produces moment by the drives interrupts device and realizes that moment arrives the interruption of output.

4. clutch mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein actuator comprises switch, switch arrangement becomes by Down Drive to come the drives interrupts device to produce moment.

5. clutch mechanism as claimed in claim 1 also comprises gear train.

6. clutch mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein gear train is arranged to provide its rotary speed to be lower than the output of the rotary speed that driver produces.

7. as claim 5 or 6 described clutch mechanisms, wherein gear train comprises epicyclic train.

8. as claim 5 or 6 described clutch mechanisms, wherein gear train is connected to the end of driver.

9. as claim 5 or 6 described clutch mechanisms, wherein gear train and output are installed together with one heart.

10. as claim 5 or 6 described clutch mechanisms, wherein one of clutch components comprises the part of gear train.

11. as each described clutch mechanism in the claim 1 to 6, wherein one of clutch components comprises the parts that are associated with driver.

12. as each described clutch mechanism in the claim 1 to 6, wherein the output agitator that is arranged to the drive surfaces treatment facility makes it rotation.

13. an agitator that is used for surface processing equipment comprises the described clutch mechanism of claim 1.

14. agitator as claimed in claim 13, form are the brush rod that is used for vacuum cleaner.

15. a surface processing equipment comprises the described agitator of claim 13.

16. surface processing equipment as claimed in claim 15, form are vacuum cleaner.

17. the method for an operated clutch mechanism, clutch mechanism has the position of engagement and disengaged position, when the position of engagement, the moment that is produced by driver passes to output, and when disengaged position, moment does not pass to output, and a plurality of parts of clutch have slidably property, described method comprises the following steps: to interrupt the transmission of moment to output when clutch components when relatively another slip rotary speed surpasses predetermined value.